Windows 7 x86 or x64?

[juanchacin]

Greetings folks, I will go straight to the point, I have always used 32-bit operating systems (x86) but lately I've considered making the leap to 64bit.
My fear of change to 64bit lies in 2 factors, "loss of performance and compatibility issues."

-I would like some opinions based on your own experiences on the subject, I mainly use the PC for, games, video editing (Adobe ® Premier), image editing (Adobe ® Photoshop), reproduction of A/V and office .

Info of my PC for reference.
CPU: Q6600@3.2
RAM: 3Gb
GPU: SLI GTX 260

In advance thanks to those who respond.

 

[Derek12]

In my opinion and experience, going to 64 bit gains some performance doing some tasks like compressing/uncompressing files and video editing, though many people says only is worth it if you have more than 4 GB, but my experience is that have some performance advantages.

It is true, however, that 64 bit apps can use more RAM and hard disk space that a 32 bit counterpart. But you can put more than 4 GB of RAM without the limitations of 32 bit

Today is very strange you have some compatibility issue, with none of these programs nor your hardware as far I know.

 

[qubit]

Go 64-bit, it's a no-brainer.

There's no loss of performance - it will go up with the right applications - and nowadays, you'll likely get better compatibility with a 64-bit OS. Oh and you can have 4 gigs of RAM or more and see and use all of it.

 

[Sasqui]

I posed the question to an Autodesk employee about file compatibility between 64 and 32 bit versions of the software. I thought I already knew the answer, but I didn't...

The answer was this: people on 64 bit machines tend to create larger datasets that 32 bit machines simply cannot digest. I'm sure some of that may come in the form of having over 4GB of ram, but then again, I've seen a native 64 bit application simply run circles around the 32 bit version wirh data sets that were moderate.

FWIW.

 

[lilhasselhoffer]

If you were going to XP 64 bit, or even Vista 64 bit there would be a problem. I've been using XP 64 bit in a dual boot for a few years, and the system generally responds better, with some huge caveats on program compatability.

The other half of my dual boot in 7 64 bit. I've yet to experience any great compatability issue (though I've heard Photoshop premier used to have some issues that could be resolved using the 32 bit emulation, which they've since fixed). All of my games run, my encodes are generally much quicker, and there's something to be said for a ramdisk used as a paging file while gaming (extra ram, above 4GB, is partitioned into an artificial drive, and paging is turned off for the physical drive).

There is no reason to remain on 32 bit in the modern age. Go to 64 bit and never look back!

 

[douglatins]

what is win 7 32 bit?

 

[Derek12]

what is win 7 32 bit?

The 32 bit version of Windows 7


My netbook, for example, has it because windows 7 64 bit with 1 GB of RAM would be overkill! when I upgrade to 2 then I will install it.

 

[Frick]

64 bit.

The only things I've had issues with is with a few games from the 90's/early 2k's. Everything else is sweet as pie.

 

[JrRacinFan]

64 bit.

The only things I've had issues with is with a few games from the 90's/early 2k's. Everything else is sweet as pie.

Adding to your post: Whereas on the other hand; 64 bit would allow you to handle multi gpu a little better for cards with a high vram buffer. Take a look at this:
http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/showthread.php?t=91260

 

[LordJummy]

Definitely 64 bit. There's practically no reason to use the 32bit distributions on modern hardware...

 

[naoan]

compatibility issue only exist if you have lot and lots of 16 bit program/games.

 

[Derek12]

64 bit.

The only things I've had issues with is with a few games from the 90's/early 2k's. Everything else is sweet as pie.

Yeah, and I don't understand the reason for the support drop for 16 bit applications, now to use those legacy apps or old games you have to use a VM or Dosbox

I wanted to install for example, Need for speed III Hot pursuit, which have an olde 16 bit installer,now I have to use a VM

 

[erocker]

All the info one needs on the topic is here: http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/showthread.php?t=91260

 

[qubit]

All the info one needs on the topic is here: http://www.techpowerup.com/forums/showthread.php?t=91260

Yes, I was thinking of that, but I couldn't remember who, where, what or how.

 

[Drone]

a) If you have RAM more than 4 GB
b) If you have applications that really benefit from x64
c) and if you really need it then

go for x64.

In any other case don't bother with it.